Benefits

Can we get help towards my wife’s respite care costs in France?

Certain low-income families may not benefit from tax reductions when it comes to respite care

French benefit explainer: ‘Allocation de rentrée scolaire’

We look at who is eligible for the ‘back-to-school’ grant in 2024, how to apply and how much is available

What housing aid is available for people with disabilities in France?

There are a number of benefits to help you adapt your home to offer more independence and usability

How are Caf income support benefits changing in France?

Changes in accessing certain benefits are aimed at improving the process

France to launch crackdown plan for social security fraud

Billions are believed to be lost through non-payment of cotisations or fake benefit claims

French benefit explainer: Aspa low pension income top-up

We look at who is eligible, how to apply and why only half those entitled to the retirement aid apply

Are freelancers entitled to France's professional training credits?

The credits allow workers in France to develop their skills or even retrain

Explainer: France’s ZRR schemes and how they benefit rural communities

17,730 communes are classed as ZRRs in France with the aim of helping them to attract businesses to set up there

Fuel, Prime de Noël, Covid: 9 December 2022 dates to note in France

Key dates include an end to fuel rebates and the 4% electricity cap, aid for wood-fired homes and gadget repairs, Christmas bonuses, new mask recommendations and long-Covid help

Low income but refused free French top-up health insurance? Next steps

We explain why you may no longer get the complémentaire santé solidaire (CSS) benefit and how to appeal

Explainer: What help is there for people who are carers in France?

We explain the leave and compensation rights for people who care in a non-professional capacity for someone close to them

Labour shortage: France plans to tighten unemployment benefit rules

The government hopes to bring the unemployment rate down to 5% by 2027. It is currently at 7.4%

France’s income support benefit set to rise: who can claim it?

The aid, aimed at low-to-moderate earners, is to be boosted from April 1

What about DLA benefit and pensions after Brexit?

I receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) in France from the UK government and pay tax in the UK on my medical pension. What will happen to these after Brexit? G.L.

The state to look after my father?

My elderly parents and I live in France, although I work abroad for most of the year. My parents have small UK state pensions but my father who suffers from dementia is unable to look after himself. If my mother dies first or becomes incapable of looking after him, will the French system provide help? AB

Can foreign residents claim France’s pension top-up benefit?

The monthly Aspa benefit is up to €906 for a single person and does not always depend on having paid into the French social security system

Eight changes for residents in France from October 2021

October brings changing clocks, new rules for travel from France to the UK, and changes for workers and jobseekers, as well as an extension to the deadline for holding Brexit Withdrawal Agreement residency cards

These four French benefits must be repaid from your estate after death

To avoid unpleasant surprises for your heirs, it is worth knowing which French benefits must be repaid, either partly or in full, after you die

Back to school financial grant is on the way to 3 million French homes

The amount depends on household income, number of children at school, and their age; and is intended to help with the rising cost of ‘la rentrée’

What's new for residents in France from July 2021

Rising gas prices, a home renovation grant extension and easier travel within Europe are among the changes

France cracks down on benefit fraud with new ‘super checker’ taskforce

The team will include ex-private detectives and former tax agents and will be authorised to chase down serious fraudsters across department lines

New €500 aid for young job seekers in France to start this summer

Aid will be given on condition of undertaking an ‘intensive’ job hunt

What’s new in France from January 1, 2021?

The start of the new year sees changes in France concerning January sales, rising gas prices and Brexit

Christmas bonus for 2.5million French households

Government unveils special seasonal payment for recipients of certain benefits

What is changing in France in December 2020?

This month it will become much easier to change health insurers, gas prices are going up, and there are some important financial deadlines.

One-off French state Covid-19 aid payments due this week

Some modest income households across France are set to receive additional government coronavirus-related payment

Covid-19: France's partial unemployment scheme extended

Companies covered by a scheme for long-term partial unemployment benefits will have access to it for up to two years. Some companies not covered will have access to it until November 1.

Are you eligible for workers’ benefit?

French ski workers threaten holiday strike

Protest against impending reform of unemployment rights would affect thousands of seasonal workers at ski resorts, union says

What changes in France in November 2019

Gas prices go up from the first of the month, a long-awaited tax increase adds about €0.50 to the cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes, the trêve hivernale comes into force and changes to unemployment benefits take effect

Financial kick-start for sole traders to be cut

Financial benefits offered to small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs for three years to help them get off the ground are to be significantly reduced.

Is French Aspa benefit repayable from my estate?

I receive Aspa income top-up benefit in France. I have been told this has to all be reimbursed from my estate after my death – is this true? F.M.

What changes in France in April 2019

As always, the start of a new month brings small changes that can affect everyday life in France. April sees benefits and healthcare changes - as well as new rules on car parts coming into force

Chômage changes help self-employed in France

As an independent worker in France, I believe I do not have any right to unemployment benefit, but that this is changing. When will it happen and how will it work? Is it definite? How will the amount we receive be worked out? J.S.

French households’ buying power up by €440 per year

Three quarters of households in France are set to see a rise in their buying power, with an average boost of €440 per year, due in part to the measures introduced after the gilets jaunes protests.

Tougher sanctions as job-seekers told to take less pay

Tougher measures to force jobless people to do more to find work could see benefits removed for four months.

Tougher sanctions for failing to seek work

Unemployed people claiming state benefits in France now face stronger sanctions - including the suspension of payments for up to four months - if they miss meetings or other key obligations.

Changes taking place in France in November 2018

Changes next month include the annual suspension of landlord eviction of tenants until next year, a rise in the maximum benefits for disabled adults, and a rise in gas prices.

Macron defends his plans for France as popularity dips

President Emmanuel Macron has defended his plans for his presidency - focusing especially on business and welfare - in an address to 900 MPs and Senators at the Palace of Versailles this week.

French families missing out on €10b in benefits a year

Over €10 billion in French state family benefits goes unclaimed every year, data from the national family benefits agency La CAF has shown, as a new campaign seeks to repay those who are missing out.

French councillors keen for base revenue test

Macron bemoans France's 'crazy money' welfare spend

The President's phrase was widely criticised for showing 'class contempt'

Record fraud at CAF

What is tax benefit of money in will to charity?

I know that you can receive a significant crédit d’impôt (tax credit) on donations made to approved French charities. However what happens if you wish to donate to charities from the part of your estate that is disponible after you die? Is there any tax advantage to this? Can you advise on how to leave money to charity in the most efficient way for the charity and for the other heirs? M.R.

Mythbuster: Unemployment benefit is over-generous

Fact or Fake? In this regular column, we look at the ‘truths’ that everyone ‘knows’ about France

Boost for 4m households as energy cheque extended

Since the beginning of the year, the chèque énergie has become the new winter benefit